Canny lass

Make a cup of tea! This may be long: I´ve had a look at this memorial stone now and from a linguistic point of view, based on the engraver’s use of the punctuation marks and conjunctions, I believe that the organist in question was John Robert Smail, son of Isabella and Edwin. Memorial stones of this type have inscriptions added at various times as family members die. This one is erected in 1888, in first place to the memory of Isabella Smail whose husband is already dead. It may well have been erected by her children, the above mentioned John Robert and his sister, Dorothy Ann. The inscription for Isabella Smail ends with her age and is concluded quite correctly,with a full-stop. In 1929 the stone is again engraved following the death of Dorothy Ann. This engraving, however, is commenced with a conjunction – ”also”. The conjunction in inital position indicates that this inscription has been added later than 1888, otherwise it would not be preceded by a full-stop. Dorothy Ann’s inscription, like her mother’s, ends with her age and is followed by a full-stop to mark the conclusion. The engraver has said all he/the family wishes to say. One year later in 1930, the remaining child John Robert Smail, son of Isabella, also dies and he is added to the stone. Again the engraver, probably the same one, starts his inscription with a conjunction ”and”, again, and for the same reason, indicating that it has been added after the 1929 inscription. Then follows a phrase which is not part of a sentence but does follow a full-stop: ”ORGANIST OF BEDLINGTON PARISH CHURCH FOR 55 YEARS.” At first glance the phrase may seem ambiguous and the question has arisen as to whom it refers: John Robert Smail or his wife, Jane Isabella Smail, the subject of the next following engraving. Note that he phrase, even though it is not a complete sentence, is concluded with a full-stop indicating that all has been said that should be said. However, the phrase does not commence with a conjunction, indicating that it has been added at the time of John Robert’s inscription and I suggest it is an epithet to John Robert Smail. An epithet describes an attribute which can be described as characteristic of a person – in this case, a person well known as organist of the parish church. It can also be described as being a repetition of the previously mentioned ie Fred Bloggs, vicar of this parish/ Jackie Milburn, NUFC footballer/Mary Smith, beloved aunt or, as I suggest, John Robert Smail, organist of Bedlington Parish Church for 55 years. Of course, the two elements of name and epithet do not always occur in that order. It is equally common with the epithet preceding the name: Dr Fred Bloggs/NUFC footballer, Jackie Milburn/beloved aunt, Mary Smith, organist of Bedlington Parish Church is also a possibility - hence the ambiguity. However, it is possible to disambugate it. I suggest that the next inscription is added in 1968 upon the death of John Robert’s wife, Jane Isabella. I suggest this because, again, the name of the deceased is preceded by a conjunction and follows a full-stop, indicating for the same reason as above, a new addition to the stone. After 1930. Historical linguistics isn’t the asiest of subjects but I hope this can bring some clarity to your question, Maggie. Myself, I’m 99,9% certain that it’s John Robert. The remaining 0.1% of uncertainty is the full-stop ’before’ the epithet – possibly a stonemason’s error or an incompletely engraved comma or maybe an epithet which came as an afterthought to the relatives of John Robert. There are other indicators that it is John Robert who is the organist, apart from the inscriptions, but they are found in the family history. I’ll tell you a bit of it in the next post.

I agree! A nice project for any of our photo-enthusiasts. It would make a great gallery album.

I agree with @Bedlingtonian on the above. I can't say if they are common or not in Blighty. I've previously come across one in Cowpen. However, they are quite common in Spain, not only on gravestones but also within churches on stone- and wood carvings. There are some other interesting symbols on William Colvil's memorial stone: Arrows (there’s one piercing the waves on the left) are a general symbol for death and nothing to do with the cause of death or being struck by Cupid’s arrows as you'd be forgiven for thinking. Bones, in this case just a femur (piercing the waves on the right) but more often a skull and cross bones, are a symbol to remind the us of what will become of us too. Bones as symbols belong to a class of symbols known as memento mori - a posh way of saying ’this is a reminder of what will happen to you’. Look out for them. They come in many shapes and forms. I think that might be a coffin in the top right corner.

Hi Maggie, I'm a bit confused as to who Miss Smail was. According to isabella's gravestone, it was her son - Robert - who died in 1930 who was church organist for 55 years. Did his wife - Jane Isabella take over the job and if so why is she referred to as MISS Smail. Her age and d.o.d. would fit in with Vic's wedding in 1962. The couple don't appearto have had any daughters only a son. I'll check the census register to see if their are any. PS All photos are very much welcome!

I didn't know that either!

I'm sure you did know better, Vic. It's just that our fingers are less nimble with old age and I believe that N and W are next to each other on a Canadian computer keyboard.

Haven't heard of her, Maggie. Why was her taste in music original?

I didn't! Had to google it but not sorry I did. What a battle --- and even a bit of Swedish involvment!

We would be very happy to welcome you on board, Maggie! Of course, it's the taking part that's important (as Mr Hemming was so keen on reminding us!)so if you don't want to post your answers it's OK. Challenge the OH over a glass of wine or get the neighbours in for a bit of a natter. There is more than one way to skin this particular cat. The main thing is to get the grey cells out for an airing once a week. Enjoy it!

This week's quiz: What is the chemical symbol for Tungsten? What was the title of Cliff Richard’s 1968 Eurovision song? The shipworm is not a worm. What is it? During which war was the battle of Rourke’s/Rorke’s Drift? What sort of creature is a klang? Which is longer, a metre or a yard? On TV, what was the shared profession of Martin Platt, Charlie Fairhead and Gladys Emmanuel? Arachnophobia is the fear of what? In Morse Code which letter is represented by a single dot? Willie Carson won his first Derby on which horse? Which sea area is surrounded by Tyne, Forties, German Bight and Humber? In which English county is the market town of St Austell? Answers on Thursday next week, followed by a Hakkoween special on Friday.

I hadn't realized that they run in alphabetic order!

Hasn't yet popped up on QI?

Answers to last week's quiz: Tuberculosis Crete Rainfall Ray Wilson Arsenal In a shoe factory Hen The Sovereign Charlotte House of York Good Friday Caribou Well done! Quite a few there that I had to google. New quiz tomorrow and I'm preparing a Halloween special for next week.👻

Eggy, can you ever forgive me! I'm five days late for your birthday! I had planned to post when I posted the answers to last wek's quiz and I've just found the post-it note that should have reminded me. I can only blame old-age, cable-laying duties, lack of organisation in the office and possibly too much whisky. I can only wish you a very, very belated but very, very happy - - birthday and hope it was a good one.

Brrrrrrr Not att all envious! Haven't taken the shovel out of storage yet!

It's something peopledon't do often enough - cleaning feeders. Birds and squirrels alike need a clean feeding place and a clean feeder. Clean both at least once a fortnight and keep the animals healthy. It's the least we can do in return for the pleasure they give us.

Are you telling me that you're not learning anything here and that all my hard work is falling on stoney ground!! You must pay attention and work harder young man!

Time to give the old bumps of knowledge an airing: Which disease does the BCG vaccine protect us from? Which Greek island was the home to the Minoan civilisation? What does a pluviometer measure? Who replaced Phil Collins as lead singer of Genesis? Which football team won the English 1997-98 Premier league and F.A. Cup double? Where would you find breast buffers and bottom buffers at work? (keep it clean!) What is a female trout called? Who in Great Britain can never legally be a minor? Who was the eldest of the Bronte sisters? Which Royal house ruled in England from 1461 to 1485? On which day in April 1998 was the peace agreement signed in Northern Ireland? What do Americans call reindeer? I’ll bet you didn’t know …. Clark Gable is listed on his birth certificate as a girl. Answers on Thursday as usual.

We like it too but I think they are old programmes that are shown here. Here, the chair has just been taken over by Sandi Toksvig. I think she's every bit as good as Stephen Fry but OH thinks Fry was better.

Interesting to compare these two photos. As I said, I've no idea where I got this photo from. I can have had it for 20 years and it's labelled Feancis Pit. It's also how I remember it bur when I see bluebarbie's photo there are a few differences that I can't explain. The twophoos are clearly taken from different sides of the building: bluebarbies photo looking toward Bedlington and mine looking towards Netherton. On mine I can see a building to the left which I think is a part Bell's Ranch. However the pit building is asymmetric. The 'windows'/openings will surely have their explanation in the machinery of the era but I can't understand why two adjacent walls would be buttressed and not the other two. Maybe HPW can throw some light on the subject.

Answers to last week's quiz: Gypsy American Football Rhinoceros France Hangman Edinburgh The Sun The Taming of the Shrew The Knave of Hearts Stan Laurel Lake Bala (Welsh name: Llyn Tegid) Professor Plum ... and I've managed to get a quiz together for tomorrow, despite cable-laying duties.

I think that's where I got it from. Must make a note not to use anything from that programme!

I was having a clear out of unwanted files on my new lap-top and found this photo of the Francis pit. I have no idea where it came from so apologies to the photographer as I can't give you any credit. This is exactly how I remember it from the early 1950s. After the death of Mrs Watson's son, who fell to his death down the shaft, the building was demolished and the shaft covered with iron rails. Didn't stop us playing their as HPW describes above.

Thanks Eggy! I've had a play about with it and can now (following Andy's advice) successfully download an image to my downloads folder. From there it's then a simple matter to place it in a folder of my choice. I also had a bash at saving direct from the topic, rather than downloading, and I was able to 'save as' direct from the image by using a right click which produced the appropriate meny but I didn't need to save it in my downloads folder. I could choose my own folder immediately. Quite an achievement for me. I feel like the Brain of Britain. I'm sure Andy will be knocking on my door and offering me a job soon!

Time to trim the grey matter: Everything is coming up roses is from which musical? With which sport would you associate Joe Montana? Which animals collect together in a crash? Which was the first country to use number plates on road vehicles? What was the occupation of Jack Ketch? In which British city can you find Usher Hall? Which natural feature has been nicknamed The Lamp of Phoebus ? Which is the only Shakespeare play with an animal in the title? In Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland who stole the tarts baked by the Queen of hearts? By which name is Arthur Jefferson better known? What is the largest lake in Wales? In the game of Cluedo what is the name of the professor? I’ll bet you didn’t know …. Lord Nelson suffered from sea-sickness all his life. Answers on Thursday next week.